A Genuine City Crisis
By Mitch Berg
An overnight destroys The Nook, a Saint Paul institution:
Mike Runyon, co-owner of the Nook, said the fire caused “total devastation” to his business.
The Nook, in happier days
“The whole place is burned down. You can’t do anything with it,” he said as a fire investigator worked through the remnants of the torched interior.
Runyon said it appears a refrigerator-freezer unit in the bar’s kitchen had an electrical malfunction that sparked the fire about 4 a.m.
Proof that God not only exists, but loves us.
The bar, near Cretin-Derham Hall Catholic school at Hamline and Randolph avenues, is noted for offerings like the Juicy Nookie and the Paul Molitor — both burgers stuffed with molten cheese.
Runyon and co-owner Ted Casper, both 30, have owned the space for 10 years and recently took over the Ran-Ham Bowling Center space next door.
The fire did not damage the bowling lanes, Runyon said, but they will be closed for a day or two while the owners figure out their next steps.
“We have 25 staff members. They’re all like family,” Runyon said. “So it’s a big blow. It’s right around Christmastime — that’s a big time for people to make their money.”
What is the Federal government going to do about this?
Why does Barack Obama hate burger-eating people?
December 15th, 2010 at 6:29 am
I am truly bummed, as my son-in-law asked me in the Nook for permission to marry my daughter. I know that Obama likes Five Guys burgers. Why not the Nook?
December 15th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Now there is a meal Mayor Bloomberg has banned in NYC.
December 15th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Didn’t I read recently that Runyon had pulled the rug out from under the long time owner of Ran-Ham?
An electrical fire, you say?
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Why does Barack Obama hate burger-eating people?
He doesn’t. He’s been known to eat one when he’s away from Michelle’s influence. Michelle, on the other hand, isn’t known to be the most amiable of folks about them, nor is she willing to let you decide if you should be allowed to eat one without permission from a doctor, nutritionist, cardiologist, insurance agent, labor union representative, ….
December 15th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Nerd is right. It’s Michelle that hates burger-eating people. She loves burgers, however, and so this hatred is obviously transference.
As for Barack, nothing goes better after a bacon cheeseburger than a Newport. Mmm. Menthol.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
“Why does Barack Obama hate burger-eating people?”
He doesn’t. He’s been known to eat one when he’s away from Michelle’s influence.
The first thought thru my head upon reading that was “Yes, Michelle hates it when Barack eats people.”
I have no idea what that means.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
One commentator from the Whatever Channel declared the Nook to be a great place for fries. Is/was this true?
December 16th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Yes. But the burgers were the standout.
May 5th, 2011 at 4:53 am
[…] Nook – the teeny little Saint Paul bar and burger joint that burned down last December – is set to reopen today: The restaurant, located on Hamline Avenue, across the […]